Did you winterize or inspect your ski before putting it up?

[Waternut]

Pulled my ski out of the water and began pulling some parts out of it for multiple reasons. Keep in mind that I had to rebuild the engine less than 2 months ago due to a crankshaft bearing and I fixed quite a few things that were wrong then too... I've also had the pipe and gas tank out more times than I care to admit in the last 2 months as well.

All summer though, the ski never missed a beat until the engine tanked.

Anyway, upon further inspection, I found that the plastic coupler cover was gouging the piss out of the midshaft housing. The engine mount bolts never moved from when I torqued them down but one of the engine mounts was loose now. The kenny keepers were gouged to all hell. The marine inline fuse that I installed was rusted pretty bad from only freshwater use. I also found that the hull had numerous stress cracks that had to be fixed all summer long...from flatwater riding.

Just thought I'd share for those that never open their hood and expect the ski to perform flawlessly next season.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Good thoughts, since my original build only took 16 hrs start to finish, including full assembly of the engine, I was considering doing a complete tear down, cleanup and re-assemble just to keep it looking new. My ski did not miss a beat all summer and I would like to keep it that way. I have also learned that I need to step up my "after riding" washing to keep corrosion at bay and would like to get in and clean it all up before it gets out of hand.

 

[Matt_E]

Winterize? Put up?

:dunno:

 

[kevbo]

Pulled my ski out of the water and began pulling some parts out of it for multiple reasons. Keep in mind that I had to rebuild the engine less than 2 months ago due to a crankshaft bearing and I fixed quite a few things that were wrong then too... I've also had the pipe and gas tank out more times than I care to admit in the last 2 months as well.

All summer though, the ski never missed a beat until the engine tanked.

Anyway, upon further inspection, I found that the plastic coupler cover was gouging the piss out of the midshaft housing. The engine mount bolts never moved from when I torqued them down but one of the engine mounts was loose now. The kenny keepers were gouged to all hell. The marine inline fuse that I installed was rusted pretty bad from only freshwater use. I also found that the hull had numerous stress cracks that had to be fixed all summer long...from flatwater riding.

Just thought I'd share for those that never open their hood and expect the ski to perform flawlessly next season.

Now you know why almost all skis are in such bad condition. Annual maintenance is an absolute must or else your ski WILL turn into a POS very quickly. Every year remove and dump the tank. Check for chafing lines, hoses, and waterbox pads. Pull the front cover look for water. Slide the engine forward and spin the driveshaft, make sure there is seal drag and no noise. Always make sure the inside is dry if the hood is latched and always blow out the engine until the head is too hot to touch for very long.

 

[Waternut]

That's something I forgot to mention. Yes the steering cable was chaffing the hull real bad and the start/stop switch wires were melted onto the waterbox itself due the stars aligning perfectly I guess. It's amazing they weren't shorting out on each other.

 

[LIVE2RIDE Powersports]

Winterize? Put up?

:dunno:

Jackazz..LOL

Some of us have to put up, or ride through ice..

I nevr winterize mine, stays in a heated garage. And fired up weekly for the smell.

 

[Matt_E]

To be fair, I'd have ice here if the river wasn't so massive and moving all the time.
Some times the water temps drop below 32 degrees.

 

[nightrider05]

I winterized mine about a month back..we are just now having nights below freezing. I plan on doing some work to mine over the winter..so it just got a good cleanup and sprayed down with Fluid Film to keep any corrosion from forming.

I have a few things on my list to do this winter that will give it a good once over.

 

[motosicko]

That reminds me, I need to put my trickle charger on my battery.

 

[Idok]

That's something I forgot to mention. Yes the steering cable was chaffing the hull real bad and the start/stop switch wires were melted onto the waterbox itself due the stars aligning perfectly I guess. It's amazing they weren't shorting out on each other.

take some water hose, split it down the middle and make a sheath.....then it can rub all day and wont hurt a thing